Centrifugal apparatus



Oct. 15, 1929. c. 1.. RILEY CENTRIFUGAL APPARATUS Filed Aug. 10, 1926 FIG. I

Patented Oct. 15, 1929 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CHAMIPLAIN L. RILEY, NORTH PLAINFIELD, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOlRi TO INDUS- TRIAL ASBOGIATEi INCOBPORATED, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., COBIEORATION OF NEW YORK onn'rnrrocmn APPARATUS Application'flled August 10, 1926. Serial No. 128,445.

o trifugal apparatus of the nebulizer type, in

which my invention is embodied in one form;

and y Fig. 2 is a section on the line 22, Fig. 1. While the features to which my invention is relate, may be embodied in apparatus of various types, 1 have illustrated them by way of example in a layout adapted to the hi h speed rotation of the nebulizer 15, of the general construction shown in my Patent 1,624,847 and in my copendingapplications Ser. Nos. 97,136, filed March 24, 1926; and 98,838, filed March 31, 1926. Nebulizers of this type are particularly well adapted for use in the spray drying of fluids, muds, etc.,- 23 and 1 have accordingly indicated the apparatus installed at an opening 16 in the top wall 17 of a spray chamber 18 through which a current ofair, generally preheated, is drafted in well understood fashion.

A standard 19 of any suitable character is supported on the top wall 17 0f the chamber, and carries the vertical driving spindle .20, which rotates in stationary bearings 21 and 22. It also supports, through the rock bearmg 23, the suspended shaft 24, to the lower end of which the nebulizer unit 15 is'attached. A flexible coupling 25, of any suitable character, between the driving spindle 20 and the suspended shaft 24, serves to transmit to the latter the rotation of the former. The

nebulizer has a ball-joint connection with the lower end. of the driving shaft, so that its plane of rotation may assume various angular positions with respect to the axis of the shaft 24 during operation. To this end the web 26 hole 32 through, they ball hub 27 and takes into the lower end of the shaft 24. While the frictional engagement of the hub 27 with the washers 28 and 29 is suflicient to insure the drive of the nebulizer unit 15, the latter is nevertheless free to assume an angular position with respect to the axis of the shaft 24 under the stresses set up during operation of the apparatus.

The layout thus provides (1) a driving ,spindle rotated in fiixed bearings, (2) a suspended shaftj flexibly coupled thereto and having a suspension hearing which permits the shaft to'gyrate; (3) "a nebulizer unit sup ported at the lower end of the suspended shaft by means of a flexible joint which per-- mits the nebulizer to automatically assume such angular position with respect to the axis of the shaft as working conditions necessitate for stability.

It will be noted that in the layout shown the a erture 16 in the top wall of the driving chum er is substantially closed by a diaphragm 33, having a relatively small central openlng 34 through which the suspended shaft passes. This arrangement is preferred since 1t serves to more or less isolate the driving spindle and its connections from the heat of the drying chamber 18. The lubricating .systemvto which reference is hereinafter made, 'as well as the bearings, are thus kept c0ol-more particularly as the draft through the drying chamber is usually efiectedby suction, and any air entering the standard 19 is drafted therethrough and through the opening 44 into the dryin chamber. This is important also fromt e standpoint of maintenance of these parts free from deposit of solids thereon'as a result of the drying operation in the chamber 18.

' The margins of'the opening 34 serve as a positive limit to the gyration of the shaft 24.

A gyration brake is afforded by a group of brushes 35'bearing against the periphery of the shaft 24 at a point remote from its suspension. These brushes 35 are here shown through whichthe shaft 24 passes. They are outwardly displaceable through their supporting straps 39 secured to the hood bottom 36, but are stressed inward by springs 40. The latter may conveniently be pull springs, the opposite ends of which are connected to the ends of stirrups 41 which bear against the outer ends of adjacent brushes 35.

The brake brushes 35 are preferably located at substantiallythe center of oscillation or percussion of the shaft 24, and its supported load. In order that this point may be spaced at some distance from the point of support of the shaft, the latter is preferably made hollow or cylindrical throughout the greater portion of its length, as indicated at 42, thus locating the center of gravity of the shaft and the suspended nebulizer unit 15 well below the longitudinal center point of the suspended shaft. As is well understood, the center of gravity is an element which enters into the determination of the center of oscillation or percussion. By locating the brake brushes at this latter point, their restraining effort on the shaft is not only maximum, but is without tendency to cause vibration of the shaft. In high-speed apparatus of the present character, vibration is an element of danger, and its elimination is of first importance.

It will be noted that the hood 37 is closed and thus also serves to prevent the deposit of solids from the drying chamber upon the rotating parts, with possible result-ant establishment of unbalanced conditions. To pro tect the brushes 35 from deposits, I prefer to enclose them within the shield 43 secured to the bottom 36 of the hood, and having a central opening 44 of suflicient size to permit limited gyration of the shaft 24.

The fluid sup lied to the nebulizer unit 15 may be derive from any suitable source, such as a container, diagrammatically shown at 45, from which it is led by pipe 46 through hood 37'to the feed nozzle 47.

Thedrive and lubrication of spindle 20 and its associated parts is effected in any suitable fashion. I have indicated, by way of example, a driving pulley 48 at the head of the spindle, and preferably having a ratchet drive connection therewith to insure the rotation of the spindle in predetermined direction. The drive of the spindle, however, may

' be accomplished by any suitable means, for

example, a turbine, electric motor, or the like, where this is feasible. When a, pulley drive is utilized it forms the head by which the spindle 20 is suspended in its bearings. The pulley hub 49 rests through bearing washers 50 upon the bearing bush 21. The suspended shaft 24 is supported at the lower end of the bearing body 51 by a screw bushing 52 within which the ball rocker 23'is accommodated.

Lubricant may be supplied from the cup 53 through channel'54 to the chamber 55 within which the washers 50 are located. Anoil pipe 59 establishes communication between the chambers 55 and 56 to take the overflow from chamber 55. From chamber 57 the lubricant passes through the suspension bearing 23 to spout 60, which in turn delivers to a receptacle 61, where it is recuperated for cleaning and re-use.

It will be noted that all the lubricated parts are above the diaphragm 33 and are thus well protected from the heat of the drying cham ber 18. The brushes 35 which are subject to the heat of the spray chamber, are of a character not affected by its temperature, such, e. g. as carbon or graphite.

It will be understood that the embodiment of my invention above described and illustrated in the accompanying illustrative of the thoughts which underlie my invention, which may be embodied in other structures without departing therefrom.

I claim- 1. Centrifugal apparatus comprising a vertical spindle rotating in fixed bearings, a shaft suspended below said spindle and flexibly coupled thereto, and a centrifugal unit flexibly mounted at the lower end of said suspended shaft, together with a gyration brake engaging said suspended shaft substantially at the center of oscillation of said shaft and its supported load.

2. Centrifugal apparatus comprising a suspended, gyrating, driven shaft, a centrifugal unit suspended at its lower end, and a gyration brake engaging said shaft substantially at the center of oscillation of said shaft and its supported load.

3. Centrifugal apparatus comprising a sus pended, gyrating, driven shaft, a centrifugal unit suspended at its lower end, and a spring stressed substantially at the center of oscillation of said shaft and its supported load.

4.' Centrifugal apparatus, comprising a suspended, gyrating, trifugal unit fiexibl connected to the lower end of the shaft to permit said unit to rotate in planes at various angles to the axis of rotation of the shaft, engaging the shaft at tion of said shaft and gyrations.

the center of oscillaits load, to damp its prising a drying chamber through which a from said driving means, and housing means drawing is only together with means 5. Apparatus of the type described com-- gyration brake engaging said shaft l driven shaft, and a cen- 7 housing into the protecting said driving means from deposit of solids thereon from the drying chamber said housing having an openingto the atmosphere through which a protective and cooling gaseous current may flow through the chamber incident to the suction effort exerted in the chamber.

6. Centrifugal apparatus comprising a suspended gyrat-ing, driven shaft, and a gymtion brake engaglng said shaft substantially I at the center of osclllation of said its supported load.

shaft and In testimony whereof I'have signed my name to this s ecification.

SHAMPLAIN L. RILEY. 

